NSW aproves the growing of industrial hemp

People can now apply to grow industrial hemp in NSW, with the commencement of a new licensing scheme, Minister for Primary Industries Ian Macdonald announced today.

The licensing scheme follows the introduction of new legislation in NSW Parliament, the Hemp Industry Act 2008 and Hemp Industry Regulation 2008, and was developed after extensive consultation with NSW Police and industry groups.

“This is a very exciting development for NSW,” Mr Macdonald said.

“It will allow our State’s farmers to produce industrial hemp crops, which are environmentally friendly and can be used in everything from building products, cosmetics, bio-fuel to dog food.

“We have received strong feedback from the agricultural sector for the development of this new industry, with more than 200 people expressing interest in producing industrial hemp crops under licence.

“Industrial hemp has the potential to provide farmers with a much-needed additional fast-growing summer crop option that can be used in rotation with winter grain crops.

“It’s a potentially lucrative industry due to the environmentally-friendly nature of industrial hemp and there is strong interest for hemp products in the market.

“Industrial hemp fibre can be used as a base for skin care products, in paints, paper products and textiles, load-bearing masonry for building, insulation, as an additive to wool in soft-textured durable yarns and also as an alternative to fibreglass.”

Mr Macdonald said the licensing scheme is being designed to prevent industrial hemp being used to camouflage an illicit crop of high THC cannabis, or marijuana.

“Industrial hemp is a cannabis plant species, however, it has low tetrahydrocannabinol content (THC) compared to other forms of cannabis plants and cannot be used as a drug,” he said.

“Properties growing industrial hemp will be audited and inspected regularly.”

Interested people may obtain an application form from the NSW DPI website at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au or by contacting their local NSW DPI office.

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1. Nimbin Hemp Bar, Museum closed for Mardigrass following court order
2. Ballina to host sugar technology conference
3. biobaby aims to stamp out disposable nappies
4. Ocean Shores man charged over $1m cannabis bust
5. Cannabis netted in Goonellabah raid